Card processor with interlocked processing function

ABSTRACT

To provide a card processor capable of easily and quickly executing business processing by establishing an automated system that continuously executes related functions and copes with a plurality of functions in order to improve service and business efficiency by the use of the card processor which has a plurality of functions. The card processor has a pre-paid processing function and a point processing function, and includes an identification element for identifying the function possessed by a card depending upon the kind of the card, a judging element for judging a function that can be processed in an interlocked manner depending upon the result of identification by the identification, and an operation element for executing the arithmetic operation processing based upon the result of the judgement by the identification element and/or the judging element. The point processing is executed following the pre-paid processing in an interlocked manner.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a card processor which is capable ofexecuting the exact-calculation processing for credit cards, pre-paidcards and cash cards and of offering point service (a service whereinwhen goods are sold, service coupons corresponding to the paid total aregiven, and after the total of the points reaches a predetermined amount,the amount is returned to the customer), the card processor beingfurther capable of continuously processing related functions among theseplurality of functions and updating data in the host unit.

In recent years, a variety of services have been offered using cards asrepresented by widespread use of various cards such as pre-paid cards,credit cards, cash cards and the like, and the applications are stillexpanding depending upon their functions.

The cards used in card processors include a card that is capable ofexecuting a plurality of functions such as exact-calculation processingand point processing, a plurality of cards for executing a plurality offunctions, a card capable of executing only exact-calculationprocessing, and the like.

The card processors for such a variety of applications are being used inquite different fields as part of means for improving services for thecard users and for promoting the use of credit cards and pre-paid cards.Moreover, a variety of attempts have been made to incorporate variousother additional service functions.

In the card processor having such a plurality of functions, however, thedata corresponding to the individual functions must be stored in thecard, resulting in an increase in the amount of data and causing theoperating procedure to become complex. To save the amount of work andfor better efficiency, therefore, a system to automatically provide avariety of functions has been demanded.

BACKGROUND ART

In a conventional card processor having a plurality of functions, theoperation for utilizing a given function is separate from the operationfor other functions; i.e., the operation is cumbersome and inefficient,and the special functions are often not exhibited to a sufficientdegree.

In conventional card processors, for instance, pre-paid transactions andpoint-service are processed independently from each other. When it isdesired to issue points depending upon the sum paid through the pre-paidprocessing, a point card for point processing is inserted after thepre-paid processing is finished and the pre-paid card is discharged, thesum to be paid is input again to execute the point processing, andpoints are issued.

Even in a band POS (Point-of-Sales) in which the sum of goods purchasedby a customer is drawn out from the bank account of the customer, theprocessing drawn out from the bank account is finished in order toexecute a point issue, the point service is designated using a keyboard,the point card is read out again, and the sum of the purchase is inputagain through the keyboard.

In the conventional card processor as described above, even when thecard has a plurality of functions such as a bank POS function and theaccompanying service point processing, the operations must be carriedout independently of each other. That is, when a given function isfinished, the card is discharged. The card must then be inserted againto execute the next function processing; i.e., the card must be read outagain and the sum of purchase must be input again.

Therefore, the card is read out and the sum is input, requiringcumbersome operation, causing the business to become inefficient andrequiring the customers to wait for extended periods of time, which isnot desirable from the standpoint of service to the customers.Therefore, improvement has been urged from the standpoint of efficientlycarrying out business and improving service.

When the number of points stored in the card or the accumulated numberof points managed by a host computer in the shopping center has reacheda predetermined value, the card is recovered by the card processor, andthe sum or goods corresponding to the recovered value is given to thecustomer as a bonus present.

According to a conventional method in which a full-point receipt(exchange ticket for money issued when the accumulated number of pointshas reached a predetermined value) is printed and issued, and the sumcorresponding to the number of points is returned back to the customer,however, the customer uses the receipt quite like a merchandise coupon,involving confusion in case the receipt is lost and further making itnecessary for a shop to report to the headquarter the recovery of pointsby sticking a full-point receipt that is recovered, resulting in anincrease in the amount of cumbersome work that must be executed.Improvement, therefore, has also been demanded with respect to thispoint.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 62-111354 disclosed amethod according to which a shop issues in advance a card recording apredetermined number of stamp points to a customer, and subtracts anumber of stamp points corresponding to the sum of purchase from thecard each time the customer makes a purchase.

There has further been proposed a method in which a point card isdelivered to the customer first, and points are added depending upon thecustomer's sum of purchase. When the accumulated points have reached apredetermined number of points, however, the point card is convertedinto a pre-paid card so that it is used as a pre-paid card (JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication No. 4-242890).

Moreover, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-70993 proposed asystem in which pre-paid processing, credit processing and pointprocessing can be executed using a single card without, however,teaching any concrete means from the standpoint of automation and savinglabor.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was accomplished and its object is to provide acard processor capable of easily and quickly executing businessprocessing by establishing an automated system that continuouslyexecutes related functions and copes with a plurality of functions inorder to improve service and business efficiency by the use of a cardprocessor which exhibits a plurality of functions.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a card processor according tothe present invention.

A first invention is concerned with a card processor having a pre-paidprocessing function and a point processing function, comprising anidentification means 7 for identifying the function possessed by a carddepending upon the kind of the card, a judging means 8 for judging afunction that can be processed in an interlocked manner depending uponthe result of identification by said identification means 7, and anoperation means 1 for executing the arithmetic operation processingbased upon the result of judgement by said identification means 7 and/orsaid judging means 8, wherein the point processing is executed followingthe pre-paid processing in an interlocked manner.

A second invention is concerned with a card processor, wherein saidfunction that can be processed in an interlocked manner is apoint-issuing function, said identification means 7 identifies whetherthe card that is read is a pre-paid-only card, a pre-paid card or apoint card which are separate from each other, or a card combining thepre-paid card and the point card, and, when the card is a combinationcard, said operation means 1 executes the point-issuing processingfollowing the exact-calculation processing without discharging the card.

A third invention is concerned with a card processor, wherein saidfunction that can be processed in an interlocked manner is apoint,realizing processing, said judging means 8 judges whether theaccumulated number of points of a customer has reached a predeterminednumber of points or not and when it has reached the predetermined numberof points, said operation means 1 executes the realizing process towrite into said pre-paid card the sum that corresponds to saidpredetermined number of points.

A fourth invention is concerned with a card processor having a bank POSfunction and a point processing function, comprising an identificationmeans 7 for identifying the function possessed by a card depending uponthe kind of the card, a judging means 8 for judging a function that canbe processed in an interlocked manner depending upon the result ofidentification by said identification means 7, and an operation means 1for executing the arithmetic operation processing based upon the resultof judgement by said identification means 7 and/or said judging means 8,wherein the point processing is executed following the bank POSprocessing in an interlocked manner.

A fifth invention is concerned with a card processor which complies withthe fourth invention, wherein said function that can be processed in aninterlocked manner is a point-issuing function, said identificationmeans 7 identifies whether the card that is read is a cash-only card, acash card or a point card which are separate from each other, or a cardcombining the cash card and the point card, and, when the card is acombination card, said operation means 1 executes the point-issuingprocessing following the exact-calculation processing withoutdischarging the card.

A sixth invention is concerned with a card processor which complies withthe fourth invention, wherein said function that can be processed in aninterlocked manner is a point-realizing processing, said judging means 8judges whether the accumulated number of points of a customer hasreached a predetermined number of points, and when it has reached thepredetermined number of points, said operation means 1 executes therealizing processing in order to write the sum corresponding to saidpredetermined number of points into said point card.

A seventh invention is concerned with a card processor which complieswith the fourth invention, wherein said function that can be processedin an interlocked manner is a point-transferring process, and when it isjudged by said judging means 8 that the accumulated points have reacheda predetermined number of points, said operation means executes therealizing processing of the sum corresponding to said predeterminednumber of points, and a communication means 9 executes the transferprocessing to transfer the realized sum to the customer's account.

An eighth invention is concerned with a card processor in compliancewith the second or fifth invention, wherein in issuing the points in thepoint service, the point-issuing rate can be arbitrarily set for each ofthe goods.

A ninth invention is concerned with a card processor in compliance withthe third or sixth invention, wherein the data updated at the time ofissuing the points of during the point-realizing processing, are alsorecorded in a host unit that manages the data.

A tenth invention is concerned with a card processor having a pre-paidprocessing function, a point processing function and a bank POSfunction, comprising an identification means 7 for identifying thefunction possessed by a card depending upon the kind of the card, ajudging means 8 for judging a function that can be processed in aninterlocked manner depending upon the result of identification by saididentification means 7, and an operation means 1 for executing thearithmetic operation processing based upon the result of judgement bysaid identification means 7 and/or said judging means 8, wherein thepoint processing by the point card is executed in an interlocked mannerfollowing the transactions using a pre-paid card or a cash card.

An eleventh invention is concerned with a card processor in compliancewith the tenth invention, wherein said card processor judges whether theaccumulated number of points of a customer's point card has reached apredetermined number of points or not, and when it has reached thepredetermined number of points, the operation means 1 calculates the sumthat corresponds to the predetermined number of points and writes thesum corresponding to the number of points into the pre-paid card ortransfers it to the customer's account.

A twelfth invention is concerned with a card processor in compliancewith the tenth invention, wherein when the function used for thetransactions is a pre-paid function, the sum corresponding to saidnumber of points is written into the pre-paid card by the realizingprocessing executed by the operation means 1, and when the function usedfor the transactions is a bank POS function, the sum corresponding tosaid number of points is transferred to the customer's account by therealizing processing executed by the operation means 1.

Point service has become an accompaniment to transactions using cards inrecent years, and the burden for the operator can be greatly reduced ifthe previous data of the transaction can be input automatically andcontinuously in the point service.

Moreover, if the result of point service could be automatically recordedin the customer's account such as the card, host computer, bank, etc.,there is no need to issue a receipt or a slip to the customer.Therefore, trouble with the customer can be avoided, and the burden ofcumbersome business processing stemming from the issuance of full-pointreceipts can be decreased.

The present invention is to continuously process such related businessin a consistent system in order to simplify the business processing andto enhance efficiency.

From such a point of view, the card processor of the present inventionperforms a service for issuing points depending upon the functions ofthe card by taking over the data of exact-calculation processing afterthe exact calculation is finished in a transaction using a card.

That is, when the card is inserted in the card processor, the data ofthe card are read out by the reading means 2 with the card being takenin the reading/writing unit 11, the function possessed by the card isidentified by the identification means 7, required data are storeddepending upon this function, the operation means 1 executes processingin accordance with the purchase by the customer, required data such asthe sum of purchase are stored in a storage, and the exact-calculationprocessing is finished.

Then, in the case of a card for which the processing can be executed inan interlocked manner, a point service program is started. When thepre-paid card and the point card are different from each other basedupon the result identified by the identification means 7, the pre-paidcard is discharged and the point card is inserted.

Then, the reading means 2 reads out the accumulated points on themagnetic stripe of the card, the operation means 1 finds the pointscorresponding the sum of sales at this time, adds the points to theaccumulated points, and the writing means 3 writes newly accumulatedpoints into the points region of the card. The card is then discharged.

According to the present invention as described above, a process isadded to judge whether or not the process can be executed while beinginterlocked to the point processing using the card that is read in thepre-paid processing, in order to automatically distinguish theinterlocked process and single process from each other depending uponthe functions possessed by the card.

Moreover, a process is added to judge whether or not a point regionexists on the card that is read out. When the interlocked processingscan be executed using the same card, such processings are executedwithout discharging the card. Therefore, the card need not be readtwice.

Unlike the prior art, therefore, double labor such as inserting the cardagain for processing the points, reading the card again, and inputtingthe sum of purchase again can be precluded; i.e., the operation issimplified, the processing is done quickly, and human error can bedecreased. Besides, either the interlocked processing or the singleprocessing can be carried out depending upon the function possessed bythe card.

Moreover, the present invention executes the realizing process for thepoints. That is, when the service for issuing the points is finished,the judging means 8 examines whether the accumulated number of pointshas reached a predetermined number of points or not. When thepredetermined number of points has been reached, this state isautomatically judged, the predetermined number of points is convertedinto the sum which is then added to the pre-paid region of the card.

Therefore, the recovery processing at the time of "FULL POINT" can beautomatically carried out to enable the recovering operation to besimplified. Moreover, there is no need to print slips or receipts, andundesired confusion or trouble can be avoided, enabling the processingto the executed within short periods of time and the business to besimplified and efficiently carried out.

Next, in the transaction by the bank POS system, provision is made ofthe communication means 9 which can make access to the customer'saccount and can effect transfer and withdrawal. Besides, the normaltransaction and the point service are executed being interlocked to eachother and, when the accumulated number of points reaches thepredetermined number of points during the normal transaction, the sumcorresponding to the number of points is automatically transferred tothe customer's account.

Therefore, the operation of bank POS is automated and is simplified,enabling the processing to be executed within reduced periods of timeand the operability to be improved.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the constitution of a card processor ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the cardprocessor and a pin pad of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a software constitution of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a table of pre-paid companies thatcorrespond to pre-paid cards of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a table of banks that correspond tocash cards of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the card data of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the operation according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart (continued) illustrating the operation accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the constitution of a bank POS system.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the bank POSsystem according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart (continued) illustrating the operation of thebank POS system according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the whole constitution of thecard processor according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the card processor.Here, the portions which are the same as, or corresponding to those ofthe diagram of principle of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same referencenumerals.

Referring to FIG. 2, the card processor comprises an operation unit 1,an input control unit 21, a print control unit 22, a display controlunit 23, a modem 9, a card unit control unit 26 and a storage 24 and thecard processor is connected to an input unit 4, a display unit 5, aprinter unit 6, a pin pad 25, and a card read/write unit 11.

Reference numeral 1 denotes the operation unit which executes thearithmetic operation processing related to sales processing and pointprocessing, and further controls the whole card processor.

The operation unit 1 finds the sum of sales input through the input unit4, reads the balance data and accumulated points in the card 10presented by the customer through the read/write unit 11, collates thepoints, as required, with the contents of the host unit, and executesexact-calculation processing and point service.

The input unit 4 works to input required data as manipulated by anoperator, and may be a keyboard, a bar code reader, or the like. Theinput unit 4 inputs required data and conditions related to theprocessing function, and requirements related to a plurality of functionprocessings.

The input control unit 21 controls the inputs from the keyboard so thatpredetermined functions are executed, and controls the transmission andreception of data to, and from, the operation unit 1.

The pin pad 25 (see FIG. 3) is a known one for inputting a personalidentification number of a customer in the bank POS system or the likesystem.

The printer unit 6 prints required data such as names of goods, unitprices, quantities, subtotal of sales amounts, total, tax amounts,accumulated points, etc. on a receipt or on a small card, so that it canbe issued to the user. The contents processed in an interlocked mannerrelying upon the printed contents can be visually displayed forconfirmation.

The print control unit 22 controls the transmission and reception ofsignals between the operation unit 1 and the printer unit 6, andcontrols the printing operation of the printer that issues receipts.

The display unit 5 may be a CRT or a liquid crystal display. Inoperating the card processor, the display unit 5 displays a variety ofinput data such as names of articles, quantities, unit prices, totalsum, etc., and further displays the state of the card processor,selection of required operation, next step, etc., which are messages tothe operator.

The contents to be displayed include those related to the functions thatare to be processed in an interlocked manner, those which indicate thatthe functions are going to be executed in an interlocked manner, errors,etc. in addition to those related to the processing functions.

The display control unit 23 controls signals between the display unit 5and the operation unit 1, and displays data related to other functionsprovided they are included in the contents that have been set in advancein addition to processing the above-mentioned functions, and furthercontrols the display for processing other functions in an interlockedmanner after the above-mentioned functions are executed.

The modem 9 writes and reads data to, and from, the host unit andfurther effects collation (including a credit inquiry). Communicationsrelative to a host computer in the shopping center are carried outthrough the modem 9.

The storage unit 24 is constituted by a ROM storing programs foroperating the processor and a RAM for temporarily storing a variety ofpreset data from the host unit as well as data related to sales andprinting. The program stored in the ROM is loaded to the RAM, and theoperation unit 1 operates in accordance with the program stored in theRAM to control the whole card processor.

The storage unit 24 is used for storing sales data and data stored inthe card 10, and for temporarily storing printing data that are to beprinted onto the receipt or the card 10.

The RAM stores data related to the processing function, flags forcontinuously executing the accumulated point processing, proceduresnecessary for executing other functions, as well as data needed forthese processings.

The read/write unit 11 reads and writes data to, and from, the magneticstripe at a predetermined position of the card 10 while permitting thecard 10 to pass through. The magnetic stripe data that are read out aretransferred to the card processor, and are processed according to apredetermined program.

For this purpose, the read/write unit 11 is constituted by a cardinserting/discharging unit 27, a reading unit 2 and a writing unit 3,and is connected to the operation unit 1 in the card processor throughthe card unit controller 26.

The reading unit 2 is used to read particular data of a user held in thecard 10 to identify the user and to read data related to transactions.Such particular data and data of transactions of the user aretemporarily stored in the RAM, read out, as required, from the operationunit 1, and are used for processing the transactions.

The writing unit 3 is also used for recording the result ofexact-calculation of transactions and points processed by the operationunit 1 in the magnetic stripe provided in the card 10. Though magneticprocessing is usually employed, the card may be a magneto-optic oneutilized laser. Visual means such as perforations or printing may beused in combination to let the user know the limit of use.

Concretely speaking, the sum of sales is subtracted from the balancestored in the magnetic portion of the card 10 to execute theexact-calculation processing. The sum remaining after the subtraction iswritten again by the writing unit 3 into the card 10.

The card inserting/discharging unit 27 is the known one which inputs andoutputs a predetermined card 10 in response to a control signal from theoperation unit 1 in order to execute exact-calculation and pointprocessing of transactions.

The card unit controller 26 controls the reading unit 2, writing unit 3and card inserting/discharging unit 27 so that they exhibit theirpredetermined functions, and further controls the transmission andreception of data relative to the operation unit 1.

The card 10 in this embodiment is a magnetic card having a magneticstripe in which can be stored ID of a customer, face value, data relatedto balance, date, accumulated points, number of the company that hasissued the card and various data related to the customer.

The present invention uses a magnetic card as the card 10 which,however, needs not be limited thereto only but may be any recordingmedium of the portable type into which, or from which, the data can bewritten and read out, such as an IC card or the like.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the software constitution according tothe present invention. As shown, a pre-paid processing program of thepresent invention is provided with a "card read processing" 71 forjudging whether there is a point region on the card 10 that is read outin order to determine whether the card 10 be discharged or be keptinserted depending upon whether the card 10 being inserted at the timeof interlocked processing is an integrated POS card or not.

A preset table processing is provided with a "data comparisonprocessing" 72 for comparison with the code of the company that hasissued the preset file card in order to determine whether or not theinterlocked processing can be carried out using the card 10 that is readout, is provided with an "issuance rate read processing" 74 for readingthe point issuance rate for each of the companies, and is provided witha "recovery rate read processing" 73 for reading the reference ofrealization when the full point is reached.

According to the present invention, the table for a pre-paid company(see FIG. 5) is provided for each of the companies. By setting the pointissuance rate for each of the companies, therefore, point services canbe easily discriminated for each of the companies that have issued thecards.

On the other hand, a point service program is provided, as operationprocessings, with an "interlocked issuance operation" 76 for operatingthe number of points issued depending upon the sum of transactions andwith an "interlocked recovery operation" 77 for finding the realizingamount from a predetermined number of points when the full point isreached.

There are further provided a "pre-paid region writing process" 75 foradding the realized sum at the time of full point and writing it intothe pre-paid region, and a "starting source judgement process" 78 forjudging whether the source of starting the point service is a pre-paidcard or a cash card.

There are further provided a "start process" 70 for starting the pointprocessing when the interlocked processing can be carried out, and a"flag of sum for payment/discharge process" 79 which follows the pointprocessing using, as data, a value input from the input unit 4 of thecard processor as the sum of payment in the pre-paid transaction at amoment when the point processing is started and a judgment flag whichindicates whether the card 10 has been discharged or not.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the constitution of a table of pre-paidcompanies of when a plurality of functions for issuing points are to becontinuously processed following the pre-paid card processing.

A company code is a code number of a company which has issued the card,printed data specific to company are related to the name of a companythat has issued the card, and group number is the one imparted to thecards of the same series.

In order to execute the interlocked processing according to the presentinvention, the preset region is provided with an interlocking yes/noflag, an interlocked issuance rate and an interlocked recovery rate asshown.

In the point processing for each of the pre-paid companies, theinterlocking yes/no flag may be, for example, 0 indicating that a singleprocessing is being executed, may be 1 indicating that the pre-paid cardand the point card are different from each other, and may be 2indicating that the card is an integrated POS card (by using this cardthe payment can be executed by credit, bank POS, and pre-paid fashionsand service can be obtained for point service). By reading theinterlocking yes/no flag, the operation unit 1 renders the decision todisplay a required message on the display unit 5 and to execute thearithmetic operation.

By setting required data in the preset file in advance, furthermore, itis possible to discriminate services depending upon the kinds of cards,methods of transactions, kinds of the purchased goods, etc. Forinstance, a pre-paid card, a credit card and a cash card can be handledby the above-mentioned method.

FIG. 6 illustrates a table of banks of when points are issued followingcash card processing. A company code is a code number of a company thathas issued the card, printed data specific to the company are related tothe name of a company that has issued the card, and group number is theone imparted to the cards of the same series.

As in FIG. 5, an interlocking yes/no flag is provided for setting a flagof whether a plurality of functions be processed in an interlockedmanner or not, in addition to the company code, printed data specific tothe company and payment method selection data. Depending upon the stateof the flag, it is determined whether the processings are to be executedin an interlocked manner or if a single processing is to be executed.

The table of banks is stored in the host unit and is transferred to aterminal equipment upon collation processing.

Whether the card 10 inserted in the case of interlocked processings isan integrated POS card or not, is judged relying upon the presence ofthe point region on the inserted card 10 that is read by the readingunit 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates data of a cash card which is provided with aninterlocking yes/no flag for setting a flag of whether a plurality offunctions be processed in an interlocked manner or not, in addition tomember number, personal identification number, valid term, etc., inorder to determine whether or not the processings can be executed in aninterlocked manner or as a single processing depending upon the state ofthe flag.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a flow chart illustrating the operation of the cardprocessor equipped with functions for executing the exact-calculationprocessing and point issuance processing in an interlocked manneraccording to a first embodiment. The operation of the interlockedprocessings will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

When the transaction is started, the card 10 is first inserted in theread/write unit 11, whereby the required data are read out by thereading unit 2 (step S11) and are stored in the RAM in the storage unit24.

The data that are read out are related to, for example, user's ID,balance in the case of a pre-paid card, available limit in the cashservice, valid term, code for discriminating the kind of system that canbe used, etc.

Then it is determined whether the card 10 that is inserted can be usedor not (step S12). That is, the company code of company that is storedin the pre-paid card stored in the card 10 is compared with the cardprocessor or with the company code stored in a table of companies thathave issued pre-paid cards (see FIG. 5) stored in the host unit.

In this comparison, when the data of company code are not in agreement,the card is not usable in the store. Therefore, this fact is displayedon the display unit 5, the card 10 is discharged, and the processingconcerned with the customer is discontinued (step S15).

On the other hand, a company code coinciding with code of the issuingcompany stored in a card is stored in the table of company issuing thepre-paid card. When it is confirmed that the card 10 is usable, theoperator is informed of the fact and inputs through the input unit 4,the kinds of goods purchased by the customer, codes, unit prices,quantities, etc. (step S13) to carry out the exact-calculation in thetransaction. The transaction data that are input are sequentiallyregistered in the RAM in the storage unit 24 and, then, the operationunit 1 finds the total sum of sales amounts (step S14).

These data can be input not only by using a keyboard but also by usingin combination an automatic reader such as a bar code reader that readsbar codes attached to goods or shown in a list.

It is then checked whether the input of data is ended (step S16). Theend of input is executed by pressing an end key.

When the input of goods purchased is not still ended at the step S16,the program returns back to the step S13 where the input of purchasedgoods is continued.

When the input of transaction data is ended, the collation processing isthen executed (step S17). That is, in the case of a pre-paid card,inquiry is made, as required, to the system managed by the host unit toconfirm the customer's ID, valid term of the card, etc. and in the caseof a cash card, credit is checked to the host unit and the validity ofthe card 10 is judged based upon the result of collation.

When the accumulated points of the customer reaches a predeterminednumber of points, this fact is notified as a message from the host unitto a terminal.

When the card 10 is not usable by reason expiry or the like as a resultof collation, a predetermined display is made on the display unit 5 andthe card 10 is discharged (step S21) to end the processing.

When the card 10 that is inserted is usable as a result of collation atthe step S17, on the other hand, it is then checked whether thetransaction was successful or not (step S18). That is, collationincluding a credit inquiry is executed in the case of the cash card or abalance is read out from the storage unit 24 in the case of the pre-paidcard to make sure whether the balance is sufficient.

When the transaction does not succeed by reason insufficient funds orthe like the fact that the transaction does not succeed and the reasonare displayed on the display unit 5 to let the operator know, and thecord 10 is discharged to end the processing (step S21).

When the transaction was successful, the card account is settled (stepS19). That is, the writing unit 2 reads out the data from the storageunit 24, and writes required data such as the codes of goods purchased,unit prices, etc. together with the date, time and the amount purchasedonto the card 10, updates (reduces) the sum of the card 10, and ends thesettlement.

Then, it is checked whether interlocked processings (the pointprocessing and exact-account processing) can be carried out (step S20).The method of Judgement can be divided into a method in which, by usingthe preset table, an interlocking yes/no flag (0: no; 1: yes) for eachof the companies in the tables of pre-paid companies (see FIG. 5) isobserved and the possibility of the interlocking processings is judged,and a method in which the interlocking flag in the card 10 is observedand the interlocking processes are judged as possible.

When the interlocking is not available, then the pre-paid processingonly is executed in a customary manner, and the card 10 is discharged(step S21) to end the processing.

In the case of the interlocked processings, on the other hand, it ischecked whether the card 10 is the one in combination with a point card(step S22). This judgement is based upon whether a point region existson the same card or not.

In the case of the integrated POS card, i.e., when the pre-paidprocessing and the point processing can be executed using the same card,the card 10 is not discharged and the processing proceeds to a nextstep. When there is no point region on the card 10, on the other hand,the card 10 being inserted is discharged (step S23) and the processingproceeds to a next step.

At starting the point processing, whether the card 10 is discharged ornot, the amount of payment is handed over to start the point processingprogram (step S24), and the point issuance rate and recovery rate in thepreset file are read out and are stored in the RAM in the storage unit24 (step S25).

It is then checked whether the card 10 is inserted or not (step S26).When the card 10 has been inserted, the point data are read out (stepS28).

When the card 10 has been discharged, on the other hand, the point cardis inserted (step S27) and the point data are read out (step S28).

Next, arithmetic operation processing is executed to issue the points(step S28). That is, to calculate the issuance of points, the number ofpoints issued is found from the data related to the sum of purchasehanded over from the source of start (pre-paid processing or bank POSprocessing) and the point issuance rate (see FIG. 6) stored in the RAM(step S29), and the point data in the card 10 are updated (step S30).Sometimes, the updating of the point data is managed by the hostcomputer.

The interlocked processings for issuing the points are thus ended. Then,it is checked whether the accumulated number of points has exceeded apredetermined value or not. When it has exceeded the predeterminedvalue, "FULL-POINT SERVICE" processing is executed.

After the point data in the step 30 have been updated, it is checkedwhether the accumulated number of points has reached a predeterminedservice number of points (step S31). When the accumulated number ofpoints has not been reaching the predetermined number of points,"FULL-POINT SERVICE" does not succeed. Therefore, the card 10 isdischarged (step S38) to end the processing.

When the accumulated number of points reaches the service number ofpoints at the step S31, the point recovery rate stored in the RAM ismultiplied by a reference sum to find the sum of realization (step S32).

Then, the number of points corresponding the sum of realization issubtracted from the accumulated number of points, and the point data inthe host unit are updated as required (step S33).

Next, it is checked whether the card 10 inserted is an integrated POScard or not (namely, whether the pre-paid/credit service and the pointprocessing are used together or not) (step S34). When it is anintegrated POS card, the processing is executed to update the pre-paidregion of the card 10 (step S37).

That is, the realized sum found at the step S32 is added to the balancein the pre-paid card or is deposited to the bank account of thecustomer. The card 10 is then discharged (step S38) to end theprocessing.

When it is not an integrated POS card, on the other hand, the point card10 is discharged (step S35), the pre-paid card is inserted (step S36),processing is executed for updating the pre-paid region of the card 10(step S37), and the card 10 is discharged (step S38) to end theprocessing.

Though this embodiment has dealt with the case of the pre-paid card, thesame processing can be executed even in the cases of a credit card and acash card. Moreover, the processor of the invention permits the use of aconventional card of the type of single processing, a pre-paid card anda point card which are separate from each other, and an integrated POScard.

According to the present invention as described above, the processingfor issuing service points and the "FULL-POINT" processing areautomatically executed following the exact-calculation processing,making it possible to decrease the waste of time stemming from thedischarge of card, re-insertion of card and re-input of data by theoperator. This helps reduce congestion at a cash register when the shopis crowded and, hence, helps enhance the service.

The present contents may be displayed and may be printed as well.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the constitution of a bank POS systemhaving functions capable of automatically executing the point serviceaccording to a second embodiment.

The processor is basically constituted relying upon the constitution ofthe card processor of the first embodiment, and is equipped with a pinpad 25 for collating personal identification numbers and with a modem 9,which is a communication means, and works to automatically effect thetransfer to the customer's bank account and to effect the withdrawalthrough a host computer in the shopping center.

The card processor of the invention has a reading unit 2 and a writingunit 3 capable of reading and writing data from, and into, a cash card,a point card, as well as an integrated POS card which can be used eitheras a cash card or a point card.

An identification unit 7 in the operation unit 1 identifies whether thecard 10 read by the reading unit 2 is a cash card or an integrated POScard with which the point transaction can be executed. Theidentification is based upon whether a point region exists in the card10 or not.

When the result of identification indicates that it is a cash card, abank code is read out from the card 10, and an "INTERLOCKING WITH POINTTRANSACTION YES/NO" data (flag) (see FIG. 6) that has been set for abank code of a corresponding bank are read out from a present item ofthe card processor. When the data indicate "INTERLOCKING YES", the sumis taken over after the transaction by bank POS is finished, and theprogram proceeds to the point processing.

Thus, the amount of purchase produced through transaction by the bankPOS is drawn out from the customer's account and the realization of"FULL-POINT RECEIPT" is transferred to the customer's account allthrough the host computer in the shopping center. Therefore, theterminal card processor need simply maintain communication with the hostcomputer in the shopping center, and their basic constitutions arelittle different from those of the prior art.

FIGS. 11 and 12 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the cardprocessor by the bank POS according to a second embodiment. Theoperation of the bank POS system will now be described with reference toFIGS. 11 and 12.

To start the transaction, the operator selects and depresses "BANK POSBUSINESS" on the keyboard (step S41). The bank POS function is thusstarted.

Next, the customer's cash card is inserted in the read/write unit 11,and required data are read out by the reading unit 2 (step S42) and arestored in the RAM in the storage unit 24.

The data that are read out may include, for example, user's ID, banknumber, available limit in cash service, valid term, codes (the codesare used as the card data of JIS #8 in the integrated POS card, and acode (1): prepaid business; a code (2): point business; a code (3):pre-paid and point businesses together, etc.; and thus, the codes aredetermined to be somewhat usable in a pre-paid business or a stampbusiness) indicating the type of the system that can be used, etc. Thereading unit reads not only those data necessary for the processingfunctions among the above data but also the data related to otherpresent functions.

It is then checked whether the object bank of the inserted card 10permits the point processing to be executed in an interlocked manner(step S43). This is done by retrieving an interlocking yes/no flag ofthe bank from a bank table stored in the storage unit 24 of the cardprocessor.

In this retrieval, when the card 10 that is inserted is the one thatpermits the point service processing to be executed in an interlockedmanner, a flag is set in the RAM of the card processor indicating that"INTERLOCKED PROCESSING POSSIBLE" (step S44).

When the interlocked processing is not possible, the program proceeds toa step S45.

It is then checked whether the card 10 being inserted is an integratedPOS card or not (step S45). This is done for the purpose that when thepoint business is executed in an interlocked manner, then the card neednot be read out again provided that the card being used is an integratedPOS card.

When the card 10 that is inserted is an integrated POS card, a flag isset on the memory of the card processor indicating that "POINT CARD HASBEEN INSERTED" (step S46).

When it is not the integrated POS card, on the other hand, the programproceeds to a next step with the flag being set OFF.

The operator then inputs a personal identification number through thepin pad (step S47) and, further, the sum of goods purchased by thecustomer is input through the keyboard 4 (step S48). The inputtransaction data are stored in the RAM in the storage unit 24.

When the input of the purchased sum is finished, the input end key onthe keyboard is depressed (step S49).

When the input end key is depressed, the data input at the step S48 areedited into a message in the memory and are automatically transmitted,via the modem, to the destination telephone number set in the terminalto effect collation processing including credit inquiry (step S51) andto obtain approval for draw-out from the account.

Here, the destination is the host computer in the shopping center. Thehost computer in the shopping center that is called then passes the callto a host computer in the corresponding bank. There exist three methodsfor point management. In the first method, point data are not stored ona card and only a host computer manages the point data. In the secondmethod, point data are stored on the card and card and a host computermanages point data (the card has a priority). In the third method, onlycard manages point data. When the data is managed by the card,information from the host unit is not necessary.

At this moment, when the points have reached a predetermined number ofpoints, this fact is notified from the host computer in the shoppingcenter.

It is then checked whether the transaction succeeds (step S52). That is,the card processor that has received a message stating "TRANSACTIONSUCCEEDS" from the bank through the host computer in the shoppingcenter, executes the processing to draw out the sum from a predeterminedaccount, and the printer unit 6 prints this message on a slip. Thetransaction is thus ended and, then, the point processing is executed.

On the other hand, when the transaction does not hold at the step S52,i.e., when a message stating "TRANSACTION DOES NOT SUCCEED" is receivedfrom the host computer in the shopping center, a predetermined displayis made, and the printing unit 6 prints this message on a slip (stepS54), and the card 10 is discharged (step S68) and the processing ends.

In the point processing, it is first checked whether a flag forinterlocked processing has been set (step S55). When the flag (fordetermining whether interlocking function to the stamp business isexecuted or not) for interlocked processing has not been set, the pointprocessing is not executed and the card 10 is discharged (step S68) toend the processing.

When the flag for interlocked processing has been set, on the otherhand, it is checked whether the point card has been inserted or not(step S56). This is judged relying upon the presence or absence of aflag set at the step S46.

When the point card has been inserted, the program proceeds to the nextstep. When the point card has not been inserted, however, the cash card10 that is now inserted is discharged (step S57), the point card isinserted instead (step S58), and the program proceeds to a next step.

The point value is calculated (step S59) to find the number of issuedpoints from the sum of purchase stored in the RAM and the pointinterlocking issuance rate (this means a rate of point value to the sumof purchase) on the preset file.

Next, the point value purchased this time is added to the point valuethat has been recorded in the card 10 (step S60). That is, the number ofpoints found at the step S59 is added to the region of accumulatedpoints of the card 10 in the read/write unit 11.

The processing for issuing points is thus ended and, then, theprocessing for "FULL POINT" is executed.

In the processing of "FULL POINT", it is first judged by a judging unit9 in the operation unit 1 whether the accumulated number of points hasreached a predetermined number of points or not (step S61). When it hasnot reached the predetermined number of points, the card 10 isdischarged (step S68) and the point processing is discontinued.

When the accumulated number of points has reached the predeterminednumber of points, on the other hand, the sum corresponding to the numberof points is found, edited into a message on the memory (step S62) andis automatically transmitted to the host computer in the shopping centervia modem (step S62).

Upon receipt of the message from the card processor, the host computerin the shopping center makes a collation to the computer in thecorresponding bank, and the sum corresponding to the number of servicepoints is automatically transferred to the customer's bank account (stepS63).

Then, it is confirmed whether the point service holds or not (step S64).That is, whether the point service holds or not is confirmed after themessage from the bank is received by the host computer in the shoppingcenter and after having transmitted a message to the card processorstating that the transfer is complete.

The card processor that has received a message stating transfercompleted from the host computer in the shopping center. Subtracts thenumber of service points spent this time from the accumulated number ofpoints in the point card 10 (step S65), and the printer unit 6 printsservice succeeds on a slip (step S66) and the card 10 is then discharged(step S68).

The operator hands the discharged point card 10 and the receipt over tothe customer to end the processing.

When the service does not succeed, on the other hand, the reason why theservice does not succeed is displayed on the display unit 5, the printerunit 6 prints service does not succeed on a slip (step S67), and thecard 10 is discharged (step S68) to end the processing.

According to the present invention as described above, both the bank POStransaction and the point processing can be executed by using a singlecard processor. Besides, the points are automatically issued followingthe bank POS transaction. When the points reach a predetermined number,the realized sum of the "FULL POINT" amount is transferred to thecustomer's account and points are automatically decreased in the pointcard, contributing greatly to improving operability of the bank POSsystem.

[Industrial Applicability]

According to the present invention as described above in detail, asingle card processor capable of executing the pre-paid processing andthe point processing, executes the pre-paid processing and thepoint-issuing processing in an interlocked manner depending upon thekind of the card.

Therefore, the operation is simplified yet making it possible to reducecongestion at a cash register when the shop is crowded, to reduce thetime which the customers have to wait and to improve service.

When the accumulated number of points reaches a predetermined number ofpoints, the sum of the predetermined number of points is automaticallyadded to the pre-paid region on the card, whereby the work can beeliminated such as issuing a receipt of "FULL POINT" or merchandisecoupon, and the customers will find it more convenient to use.

According to the second invention, furthermore, when the accumulatednumber of points reaches a predetermined value, a predetermined amountis automatically transferred to the customers account without causingtrouble to the customer, contributing greatly to enhancing theconvenience of the bank POS system.

Even on the side of the shops, the bank POS business and the stampingbusiness are executed while being interlocked together enabling theoperation to be simplified (number of times of touching the keys andnumber of times of inserting the cards are decreased). When theprocesses are not interlocked, the settings can be changed for each ofthe banks making it possible to flexibly cope with the needs of thecustomers.

We claim:
 1. A card processor having functions for realizing transactionprocessing or exact-calculation processing and having a point serviceprocessing function, wherein point service is defined as service givento a customer corresponding to points issued depending upon a paid sum,said card processor comprising:a card reading means for reading thecontents of a card in said card processor; an identification means foridentifying at least one function possessed by a card and foridentifying whether a card in said card processor is a single functioncard or a multiple function card; a judging means for judging a functionthat can be processed in an interlocked manner and for judging whether acard has a single function or multiple functions depending upon theresult of identification by said identification means; and an operationmeans for executing arithmetic operation processing based upon theresult of judgement by said identification means and/or said judgingmeans, for discharging the card upon completion of an interlockedprocess, if an interlocked process is judged to be possible, and fordischarging the card prior to execution of an interlocked process, if aninterlocked process is judged to be not possible; wherein pointprocessing is executed following transaction processing orexact-calculation processing in an interlocked manner when theinterlocking processing is judged to be possible.
 2. A card processoraccording to claim 1, wherein said transaction processing or saidexact-calculation processing is a pre-paid processing whereby, cash ispre-paid prior to processing.
 3. A card processor according to claim 2,wherein said function that can be processed in an interlocked manner isa point issuing function, said identification means identifies whetherthe card that is read is a combination card or not, and, when the cardis a combination card, said operation means executes the point-issuingprocessing following the exact-calculation processing withoutdischarging the card.
 4. A card processor according to claim 2, whereinsaid function that can be processed in an interlocked manner is apoint-realizing processing, said judging means judges whether theaccumulated number of points of a customer has reached a predeterminednumber of points or not and when it has reached the predetermined numberof points, said operation means executes the realizing processing towrite into said pre-paid card the sum that corresponds to saidpredetermined number of points.
 5. A card processor according to claim3, wherein in issuing the points in said point service, thepoint-issuing rate can be arbitrarily set for each of the goods.
 6. Acard processor according to claim 4, wherein the data updated at thetime of issuing the points or during the point-realizing processing, arealso recorded in a host unit that manages the data.
 7. A card processoraccording claim 1, wherein said transaction processing or saidexact-calculation processing is a bank POS processing, whereby bank POSprocessing is the processing in which the price of goods that arepurchased is transferred from a customer's bank account.
 8. A cardprocessor according to claim 7, wherein said function that can beprocessed in an interlocked manner is a point-issuing function, saididentification means identifies whether the card that is read is acombination card or not, and, when the card is the combination card,said operation means executes the point-issuing processing following theexact-calculation processing without discharging the card.
 9. A cardprocessor according to claim 7, wherein said function that can beprocessed in an interlocked manner is a process for realizing points andtransferring the realization to a customer's account and when it isjudged by said judging means that the accumulated points have reached apredetermined number of points, said operation means executes therealizing processing of a sum corresponding to said predetermined numberof points, and a communication means executes a processing fortransferring the realized sum to the customer's account.
 10. A cardprocessor according to claim 7, wherein said function that can beprocessed in an interlocked manner is a point-realizing processing, saidjudging means judges whether the accumulated number of points of acustomer has reached a predetermined number of points or not and when ithas reached the predetermined number of points, said operation meansexecutes the realizing processing to write into said point card the sumthat corresponds to said predetermined number of points.
 11. A cardprocessor according to claim 8, wherein in issuing the points in saidpoint service, the point-issuing rate can be arbitrarily set for each ofthe goods.
 12. A card processor according to claim 9, wherein the dataupdated at the time of issuing the points or during the point-realizingprocessing, are also recorded in the host unit that manages the data.13. A card processor having a pre-paid processing function, a pointprocessing function and a bank POS function, comprising:a card readingmeans for reading contents of a card in said card processor; anidentification means for identifying at least one function possessed bya card and for identifying whether a card in said card processor is asingle function card or a multiple function card; a judging means forjudging a function that can be processed in an interlocked manner andfor judging whether a card has a single function or multiple functionsdepending upon the result of identification by said identificationmeans; and an operation means for executing the arithmetic operationprocessing based upon the result of the judging by said identificationmeans and/or said judging means for discharging the card upon completionof an interlocked process, if an interlocked process is judged to bepossible, and for discharging the card prior to execution of aninterlocked process, if an interlocked process is judged to be notpossible; wherein the point processing for the point card is executed inan interlocked manner following the transaction for a pre-paid card or acash card, when processing in an interlocked manner is judged to bepossible.
 14. A card processor according to claim 13, wherein said cardprocessor judges whether the accumulated number of points in acustomer's point card has reached a predetermined number of points ornot, and when it has reached the predetermined number of points, saidoperation means calculates the sum that corresponds to saidpredetermined number of points and writes the sum corresponding to saidnumber of points into the pre-paid card or transfers it to thecustomer's account.
 15. A card processor according to claim 13, whereinwhen the function used for the transactions is a pre-paid function, thesum corresponding to said number of points is written into the pre-paidcard by the realizing processing executed by the operation means, andwhen the function used for the transactions is a bank POS function, thesum corresponding to said number of points is transferred to thecustomer's account by the realizing processing executed by the operationmeans.
 16. A card processor having multiple functions for realizingtransaction processing or exact-calculation processing and having apoint service processing function, wherein point service is defined asservice given to a customer corresponding to points issued dependingupon a paid sum processing function, said card processor comprising:acard reading means for reading the contents of a card in said cardprocessor; a judging means for judging a function that can be processedin an interlocked manner and for judging whether a card has a singlefunction or multiple functions; and an operation means for executingarithmetic operation processing based upon the result of judgement bysaid judging means; wherein point processing is executed followingtransaction processing or exact-calculation processing in an interlockedmanner when the interlocking processing is judged to be possible.